Letter scale and paper cutter



Feb. 9, 1932.

P. W. STEPHENS LETTER SCALE AND PAPER CUTTER Filed March 15, 1950Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES PERCY W. STEPHENS, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS LETTER SCALE AND PAPER CUTTER Application filed March 15, 1930.Serial No. 436,044.

This invention relates to improvements in combined letter scale andletter opener,

and has for its principal object to provide a simple and improved deviceof the character described.

The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view showing my 1 improveddevice in use in weighing a letter.

Figure 2 is a side View of the device arranged as in Figure 1, butshowing in greater detail the arrangement of the fulcrums adapted to beselectively utilized for variations in weight limits.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the handle end of the deviceshowing a modified form of letter holding clip.

Referring to details of the embodiment of my invention shown in thedrawings, the

scale is indicated generally at 10 and comprises an elongated relativelystraight piece herein shown in the form of a letter opener including apointed cutting blade portion 11 and a handle portion 12. The bladeportion may be provided with a series of calibrations 13 to provide aruler along one edge, while the handle portion may also include a chp 14formed by striking up an elongated tongue from the interior of thehandle, as shown.

Referring now more particularly to the features forming the subjectmatter of my invention, it Will-be seen that I provide a suitable quickdetachable letter holding device, herein consisting of an aperture 15formed at the extreme end of the handle portion 12 and including a crossmember 16 bent inwardly or upset so as to form a yieldable clamp adaptedto receive a corner of a letter 49 17 or the like, and retain the sameunder tension of said cross member as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.The cross mem er 16 preferably formed by cutting the aperture 15 in thefiat stock of the handle portion 12,

and bending the same inwardly against the opposite margin of saidaperture, as shown.

The arrangement is such that when the device is to be used as a scale,the letter is clamped in the aperture 15, as shown, and

the device placed with its handle end overhanging the ed e of a desk 18or the like. A plurality of ulcrum'points are provided for determiningthe effective length of the weighing scale, herein, said fulcrum pointsconsisting. of several spaced pairs of points 20 20, 21-21, 22-22 and23-23, preferably formed by embossing said points in the flat stock ofthe handle portion 12. The points of each pair are disposed adjacentopposite sides of said handle, as shown.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, it will be observed that thepairs of fulcrum points are formed at progressively increased depthstoward the handle end of the device, as is best shown in Figure 2. Thisarrangement is particularly advantageous in selecting the proper fulcrumpoint during the operation of the device, as will now be described.

It will be observed from the drawings that when one of the pairs offulcrum points are engaged adjacent the edge of the desk, as forinstance the points 2222, the device will lie parallel with the tabletop, unless the weight of the letter 17 is sufficient to overbalance thelonger blade portion 11 of the device. The several pairs of fulcrumpoints are spaced at predetermined distances from each other so as torepresent certain limits of letter weight which will overbalance thedevice at each of said fulcrum points. For convenience, these distancesmay be chosen to correspond with the amount of postage necessary tocarry a given letter, it being understood, of course, that in operationa letter to be weighed is placed in the clip 16, and the device is movedalong the edge of the desk, with the several fulcrum points inengagement therewith, until the fulcrum point is found which producesthe nearest point of equilibrium. This point then indicates the postagewhich is required for the letter.

While I have illustrated and described one particular embodiment of myinvention, it

will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exactconstruction shown and described, but that various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofmy invention. 10.

I claim: A letter scale of the character described, comprising anelongated flat member having a plurality of longitudinally spacedfulcrum 5 points formed thereupon adjacent one end thereof, said endalso having an aperture therein, a portion of the Wall of which is benttoward the opposite Wall to form an elongated tension clip fordetachably securing a letter, 1 or the like.

Signed at Chicago, 111., this 13th day of March, 1930.

PERCY \V. STEPHENS.

